OREANDA-NEWS. Two MegaFon charity projects — the Future Depends on You nationwide open football tournament for teams from children’s homes and orphanages and the national Communication and Creativity Clubs project for people with intellectual disabilities and autism — have been included in the list for the national 2015 Best Social Projects of Russia program. The professional judging panel praised the company’s contribution to tackling social issues and the level of engagement of employees, volunteers and other organizations.

The Future Depends on You tournament is the only nationwide sporting project of its scale designed for the social adaptation oforphaned children. Over its 10-year history the program has welcomed more than 25,000 children and in excess of 800 football teams. The tournament has given orphans the chance to interact with their peers, make new friends and even find families. Thanks to 1,000 video interviews with the young footballers, created with the Change One Life foundation, more than 200 boys and girls have found new parents.

The Communication and Creativity Clubs project was run by MegaFon with support from the Wings For All foundation for the support of social and cultural initiatives and the Road to Life inter-regional public organization. A common inclusive space was set up in special clubs in 10 Russian cities for 310 children and young people with intellectual disabilities and autism to communicate, get creative and do sport. The project involved more than 20 professional teachers and psychologists, 100 volunteers and 10 parents’ organizations.

“We are very pleased that our programs, which reflect the key areas of MegaFon’s charitable activities, have been recognized by experts. It is systematic and long-term projects like these that make it possible to tackle pressing social issues more effectively and encourage greater inclusiveness in Russian society on the whole,” said Yulia Ganina, Head of Corporate Communications and Charity, MegaFon.

This is the third year running that MegaFon’s charity projects have been included in the final catalogue of the Best Social Projects of Russia program, which is run with support from the Moscow City Government and aimed at strengthening social policy and developing partnership between private business, the state and the public.